Under the USAID-funded Kabul Schools Program, UNOPS has recently provided for improved drinking water supplies at seven Kabul high schools through construction and repair of new and existing water wells, pumps, and storage tanks.

Laboratory testing has shown that all new and refurbished water supplies met World Health Organization standards for safe drinking water. These potable water systems will provide reliable and safe drinking water for more than 60,000 students, resulting in improved health and better learning opportunities.

According to the latest assessment from UNICEF, Afghanistan still has one of the worst child development indicators in the world, including lack of access to clean water and safe sanitation. Only 60 percent of schoolchildren in the country have access to safe water. Even if it is provided, the lack of pumps and other facilities for proper hand-washing leads to diarrhoeal diseases and other water-borne diseases due to contamination.

The schools include: Abdul Ali Mustaghni Boys High School, Abdul Rahim Ghafoorzai Boys High, Abdul Qasim Ferdoosi Girls High School, Bibi Sara Girls School, Proja Jadid Girls School, Panjsad Family Girls High School, and the Mohd. Faqir Ferozi Boys High School.